By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 21:24 BST, 17 October 2025 | Updated: 21:24 BST, 17 October 2025
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - Atlanta Falcons receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III will miss his second consecutive game after coach Raheem Morris "sent him home."
Morris described the decision Friday as a private matter between the receiver and the Falcons (3-2). McCloud has been the team's No. 3 receiver since last season.
"Excused absence - home," Morris said following practice. "Working through some things right now that are private with my young man, and we´ll figure those things out as we go."
McCloud was a healthy scratch for [Atlanta's win against Buffalo on Monday night](https://apnews.com/article/bills-falcons-score-491c8381062e1cb5f1eaa47ff6af81c9) and won't travel with the team for Sunday's game at San Francisco (4-2). McCloud did not practice Thursday or Friday for what the team said was non-injury-related reasons.
The Falcons fired receivers coach Ike Hilliard following a 30-0 loss to Carolina in Week 3. McCloud and Hilliard are close, but Morris said Hilliard´s dismissal was unrelated to McCloud's situation. He also said it should not be considered a disciplinary issue.
"It is just more a football thing and what we got to get straightened out," Morris said.
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